SSS-Rank Overlord: Defend the Dungeon or Die-Chapter 220: Episode

[Victory for the Secret Faction!]

[The winner of this Faction War is the Secret Faction.]

The Secret Faction claimed victory in the first battle. Their opponent was the lower-ranked Freud Faction, but there was no upset. Any hopes for a surprise from the other factions were dashed by Seokwoo’s dominant performance. The Secret Faction now stood in first place with an unrivaled score. As long as no other high-ranking faction lost to a low-ranking one, their position seemed secure.

"The second match is the Black Alliance versus the Blue Beast. Another high-rank versus low-rank matchup."

"Thankfully, it’s not our turn yet. So, who’s going to take Taehyun’s place?"

"They might just leave it to random selection without changing the roster."

Judging by the matchups so far, it was highly likely that the Resistance would also face a high-ranking faction. This was the final Faction War; they absolutely had to win. A loss would mean elimination.

Seonghwi surveyed his faction members with a grim expression. A few were confident in their mission skills, but none were on Taehyun’s level. If they were eliminated now, the faction would be annihilated before they could even attempt to conquer the Demon Realm.

"Seonghwi, Taehyun isn’t coming," Songyi whispered.

"...We’ll just have to wait," he replied, comforting her as he watched the situation unfold.

---

Meanwhile, the Secret Faction, now in first place after their victory, was already certain of a top-three finish.

"A top-three spot is guaranteed. At most, the Tarantula or Blood Lion factions might rise above us."

"I heard that guy, Taehyun Yoo, is unconscious. That means the Resistance is guaranteed to lose!"

"Even if the other high-ranking factions win, their scores will put them below fourth place. They’re all going to die, no matter how much they struggle!"

The members rejoiced, both relieved to have survived and thrilled that their competition was dwindling. Once the Faction War was over, they would get their rewards, and the other annoying factions would be annihilated. It was all thanks to Seokwoo. Though he had only recently become an A-rank Dungeon Master, his mission skills were on par with Taehyun’s.

"Seokwoo, we won this battle thanks to you," Sohee Jeong, the faction leader, said gratefully.

"It was nothing," he replied, blushing.

"And with Taehyun unconscious, the Resistance won’t be a threat. We’re going to make it back alive."

Sohee was genuinely happy. Seokwoo felt a flicker of shyness, but his thoughts soon turned to Taehyun—the A-rank Dungeon Master who had ignored him since the Demon Realm Auction. Back then, his excessive competitiveness had clouded his judgment, but things were different now. He was an A-rank Dungeon Master, Taehyun’s equal.

’It’s a shame. I wanted to see who was superior now that we’re on equal footing. But you and your faction are about to disappear, leaving only me to shine. So long, Taehyun Yoo.’

He could already picture the Resistance being wiped from existence. He glanced at Sohee, a pleased smile on his face.

---

’Another dead end?’

He hadn’t walked more than a few steps before a wall blocked his path. He had wandered the maze dozens of times, but he still couldn’t get his bearings. The paths to his left and right were also blocked. He had no choice but to turn back.

Taehyun, now in control of his body, turned around.

"Is the difference in academic levels really this severe? At this rate, college..."

"Because of you, I have to get nagged, too..."

"That kid next door again..."

The phantoms were still clinging to the walls, flailing. Their static-filled voices were utterly unpleasant.

"Creepy as hell. Are all of these people I used to know?"

Feeling uneasy, Taehyun smacked one of the phantoms on the head.

"W-what do you think you’re—"

"Shut up."

"I can’t take this anym—!"

"Hey!"

After a few more hits, the struggling phantom finally went quiet. Feeling relieved, Taehyun walked away.

---

"Your Highness Leon, we’ve just received intelligence from Baron Momonte Anshlayk," a subordinate reported.

"It must be about the Krantle Canyon. Go on. What did he say?"

"It seems information about our forces has been leaked. Count Pelkram has already blocked off the side path."

A narrow path ran through the Krantle Canyon. It was unsuitable for a large force, but perfect for a small, elite group. The fact that it was already blocked meant Count Dinen had a spy within the kingdom’s army.

"I thought he was a toothless lion, but he’s still extracting information," Leon mused. "It’s a desperate struggle, I suppose."

"What are your orders?"

"We’ll turn it against them. Duke Centrix, you will personally lead the soldiers through that side path."

"But, Your Highness, the enemy will pour down on us from the canyon entrance," the Duke protested. "With Viscount Crowell deployed to the Veonas territory, I alone cannot protect all the soldiers."

Even a superhuman had limits. He couldn’t face an entire army alone, much less fight while protecting his troops. But Leon was unconcerned.

"It doesn’t matter. That man, Branch Manager Gelix, is in the Demolan territory as well, isn’t he? A meticulous man like him will surely use special items. They will create an opening for us themselves. You need only move as I command."

"Understood, Your Highness."

That day, sixty thousand soldiers of the Anais Kingdom’s army advanced into the Krantle Canyon.

---

"Hmph! How can that weakling of a demon hope to feed his territory when he’s so pathetic?!" Tuperus slammed his mug down. Two weeks had passed since Taehyun’s collapse. The territory ran smoothly enough, but without the Dungeon Master’s orders, no real development was possible.

Larkan, sitting opposite him, smirked and drained his own cup. A blueprint on the table caught his eye.

"What’s this?"

"Ahem! That is the pride of our Rough Rock Tribe! An ancient artifact created after hundreds of years of research!"

"An ancient artifact? You mean the one from the temple?"

"As expected, you recognize it at a glance. I had deemed it irreparable after the temple was destroyed, but I’ve had a change of heart. The crystal orb of immense magical power inside the dungeon... if we use that, it should be possible!"

Having undergone two evolutions, Balak’s crystal orb possessed an incredible amount of mana. It could certainly replace the temple’s core, just as Tuperus said. However, Larkan was not pleased.

"If you’re recreating it inside the dungeon, you’ll need my help, I presume."

"Of course! With your transmutation circle, an even more incredible artifact will be born. Don’t even think about backing out!"

"...I just spent ages restoring the territory after the Yuda Raid Party, and you’re putting me to work again?"

"That’s right! Anyway, I wonder when that demon fellow will wake up. We need to get the materials from him and start working soon!" Tuperus was already buzzing with excitement.

Larkan stared into his empty mug with a look of utter dread.

’Larkan, I need you to make a passage.’

’Larkan, this time it’s the merchant caravan’s carriage.’

’Oh, right. Larkan, the castle wall?’

He still hadn’t forgotten the nightmare. Larkan ordered another dark beer, praying that Taehyun would wake up as late as possible.

---

[Victory for the Black Alliance Faction!]

[The winner of this Faction War is the Black Alliance Faction.]

The fourth Faction War was over. It was another high-rank versus low-rank matchup, but the victorious Black Alliance couldn’t rejoice.

"Even if we take all their points, we’re still only in fourth place."

"Dammit! We survived all this time just to die in a Faction War?!"

"Tell me there’s a loser’s bracket. Please, I’m begging you."

Fear and terror began to swell. The factions whose fates were sealed fell into despair. Some, unable to accept their impending deaths, cried out in bitter resentment.

Amidst it all, Naeul, the leader of the Black Alliance, felt nothing but emptiness.

’In the end, I couldn’t make it into the top three. All that big talk I gave Taehyun Yoo was for nothing. What am I even doing? It’s pathetic.’

She had led her faction this far, but it was all over now. Naeul wiped her eyes and looked toward the Resistance’s seats. Taehyun still hadn’t appeared.

’You’re the skilled player who toyed with me so much. Your faction is in danger. Are you even aware?’

---

"Master."

Taehyun’s complexion was utterly pale as he lay on the bed. They hadn’t discovered the cause of his sudden unconsciousness, but that wasn’t important right now. The problem was ’when’ he would wake up. Hyena used a cloth she had brought to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Please, wake up soon. Everyone is so worried."

He remained unresponsive.

"You told me all I had to do was follow you, Master. If you’re collapsed like this, I can’t do anything."

Tears streamed down her cheeks. When she had lost her memories and become a slave raider, she had been losing hope. Taehyun had given her that hope back, had reawakened her emotions, and now he was the one who was lost. She wiped her tears and looked around. Mederia and Riel had not yet returned.

"You have to wake up soon," she whispered, a bashful smile gracing her lips as she leaned her face closer. "That’s the only way you’ll realize how I feel."

---

"There’s no end in sight. Where the hell is the exit?"

He had wandered for what felt like an eternity but still couldn’t find a way out. The maze was astoundingly vast. Taehyun sighed and slumped to the floor. He wasn’t tired, but he wanted to rest, just for a moment.

Just then, a phantom beckoned from the wall.

"Over here. Follow me, and you can get out."

"Stop lying. I don’t trust people easily."

"Honestly, it’s this way, brother!"

"Right. You’re not a person. And I’ve never had a little sister like you."

The phantoms were now resorting to temptation. Taehyun flatly refused. The female phantom puffed out her cheeks and vanished, though he knew she’d be back to try again. It had already happened dozens of times.

He leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. After wandering for so long, his original purpose was fading. Now, even looking for the exit felt like a chore.

’Whatever happens, happens. I’m going to rest.’

He had been running a ceaseless race, focused only on the destination. He ran like mad to reach it, but the finish line was nowhere in sight. It was time for a break. He breathed out and clasped his hands behind his head. As sleep crept in, everything began to fade.

In that moment, he suddenly thought of Balak.

He was silent for a moment.

He had left too much behind to be resting now. Taehyun scratched his head and got to his feet. The phantom hiding in the wall tilted its head. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Why did you get up? A moment ago, you looked like you’d given up."

"Ah. I have to go to work."

"Work?"

"Yeah. My dungeon’s about to become S-rank. I have to get out of this godforsaken place."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Hmm. I guess it’s also about going back. Even if I get out of here, another godforsaken place is waiting."

"Then follow me! I know the way out. This way!" The phantom smiled and beckoned again.

Taehyun grinned and smacked it on the head.

"Ow! What was that for?!"

"Who does a little thing like you think you’re lying to? Get lost. I don’t need you."

"Ugh! You think you can get out without me?!"

"Of course."

He already knew the way back. The path the phantom pointed to was in the complete opposite direction. The real exit was the closest path of all—the one he had come from. He retraced his steps to the starting point.

He was silent.

Two entrances appeared before him. The phantom that had been trailing him clung to him annoyingly.

"Brother, I told you, it’s the other way! This is the entrance."

"Shut up, you sly little thing. I never had a sister like you. Get lost. Shoo."

"Boo! You’re so mean!"

Finally, the phantom disappeared. Without a hint of hesitation, Taehyun stepped into the right entrance.

"Tsk. I’ll have to tell Edchan to change the entrance later."

A bright stream of light poured in, revealing a world so brilliant it was dazzling. Taehyun did not resist, surrendering his body to it.

[A special ability has been unlocked.]

[A special ability has been unlocked.]

[You have acquired a title.]

The Dungeon Master who had been wandering the maze was finally returning to his rightful place.

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